Semana Santa

Semana Santa is celebrated here in Sevilla with a beautiful tradition of parading around statues from the local churches through the streets on floats accompanied by penitents and a large band or orchestra. There are lots of visitors who come to Sevilla for the celebration so the streets are packed (and the parking impossible). It rained almost everyday during Holy Week so a lot of the processions didn't happen. They usually just have a worship service a the church if it is raining. Here are some pictures from one of the processions we saw. This was at the beginning of the route and it started at 5pm.

The men in the last picture with the towels on their heads are actually part of a large group of men who carry the two ton float on their heads. They trade places periodically with others who have had a chance to rest. I was impressed that they were able to do this, but when Matt and I were out we saw the procession finally heading back toward the church very late at night. It finally ended at about 2:30 in the morning. I can't believe that they were able to carry that float, let alone walk for that long. We hadn't planned it, but when Matt and I finished eating dinner we walked out to the street to find the procession going by. All the candles on the float were lit and the penitents were carrying long lit candles as well. I didn't have my camera with me, but it was one of those moments when a camera probably wouldn't have been able to catch the mood and feeling in the air anyway. The band was still going strong with their sacred songs and the incense was in the air. A magical moment. The band kept playing all the way to the church and until about 2:30am, we could hear them in our apartment and could look down the street to see the river of candles making their way to the church.

On Thursday of Holy Week lots of the women in the streets were dressed in black with long flowing mantillas (a black veil). Thursday is the day Christ was sentenced to death. This is also the day that all the stores close in Spain.

One of my favorite things we did as a family for Semana Santa was to light some candles (which help set the mood with the kids) and read about the meaning and events of each day of Semana Santa and the scriptures that went with it. It helped us to understand what was being celebrated and remembered each day. We were lucky to be here for the Semana Santa holiday. It helped us feel the reverence of Holy Week and it was so interesting to see how others celebrate.